Ernst Leads Fight to Confirm Key Trump Small Business Administration Nominee

WASHINGTON – To ensure the Small Business Administration (SBA) is equipped to properly serve Iowa’s job creators, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) led the fight to break through a Democrat effort to block a key Trump nominee.

During his nomination hearing, Chair Ernst detailed how Chief Counsel for Advocacy Nominee Casey Mulligan has the expertise and experience to slash the bloated bureaucracy, roll back burdensome regulations, and unleash Main Street.

Click here to watch her remarks.

Ernst’s full remarks:

“I rise today to seek unanimous consent to confirm Dr. Casey Mulligan, the President’s nominee to be the Chief Counsel of the Office of Advocacy at the Small Business Administration.

“I will make that motion in just a moment but first, let me explain why I am doing this.

“This week is National Small Business Week – a week to recognize the achievements of our nation’s entrepreneurs.

“As Chair of the Small Business Committee, I have a front row seat to the successes and challenges of our small business owners – and I have the privilege of being a champion for Iowa entrepreneurs.

“Mr. President, our small businesses are more vulnerable to burdensome government regulations.

“Over the past few years, the cost of regulations for small businesses has been out of control.

“The previous administration created more than eleven hundred final rules costing 1.8 trillion dollars. 

“The Biden administration’s regulatory costs were 600 times higher than that of the first Trump administration and 3.7 times higher than that of the Obama administration.

“I have been encouraged by President Trump’s efforts to freeze and roll back regulations.

“SBA Administrator Loeffler and the White House are working hard to eliminate burdensome and unnecessary regulations.

“But to truly be effective, small businesses need a Senate-confirmed, Chief Counsel to continue this mission.

“The Office of Chief Counsel for Advocacy has been vacant, without a Senate confirmed occupant, for nearly a decade.

“This key role ensures small business interests are protected.  

“Having served as the top Republican on the Small Business Committee for years now, I truly understand the need for this position to be filled immediately, and we are fortunate that President Trump nominated a highly qualified individual for this role.

“Dr. Casey Mulligan’s unique mix of academic success and real-world small business experience makes him the best candidate for the job.

“A Harvard graduate, Dr. Mulligan received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago, where he currently serves as an economics professor.

“In addition to his academic role, Dr. Mulligan also owns two small consulting and economic research businesses. 

“He has also conducted extensive research on the economic effects of regulation on small businesses.

“At the SBA Office of Advocacy, Dr. Mulligan would serve as a champion for small businesses nationwide, as the agency undergoes much-needed changes to policy and direction.

“Mr. President, Advocacy’s role remains true regardless of party — to ensure that a strong Chief Counsel stands up for the little guy and warns regulators when small firms will be harmed. 

“Dr. Mulligan understands Main Street and the importance of examining all costs imposed on America’s entrepreneurs.

“I urge my colleagues to consent to the confirmation of Dr. Mulligan as Chief Counsel of the Office of Advocacy at the SBA.”

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